Reel and Tip for Fish Tape

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a fish tape reel comprising a housing with two side shells coupled together. The housing defines an internal cavity. An internal portion of the housing defines a plurality of flat gripping portions and a plurality of finger notches. The housing comprises a plurality of tabs in the internal cavity, the tabs interfacing against an inner annular portion that is coupled to the handle when the handle rotates around the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/359,689, filed Mar. 20, 2019, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/US2019/020774, filed Mar. 5, 2019,which claims priority from U.S. Application No. 62/639,074, filed Mar.6, 2018, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fish tape is dispensed out from a fish tape reel to be pushed throughspaces such as conduit for running wire through the space. Fish tapeincludes a tip to hold and move a wire with the fish tape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a fish tape reel comprises a housing comprising acentral axis, an outer wall, an inner wall radially surrounding thecentral axis, a plurality of tabs radially surrounding the inner wall,an inner annular portion located between the plurality of tabs and theouter wall, a handle coupled to the inner annular portion, a fish tapewound around the inner wall, and a fish tape tip coupled to an end ofthe fish tape. The inner wall, the housing, and the plurality of tabsdefine an internal cavity. The handle and inner annular portion areconfigured to collectively rotate around the central axis of thehousing. The inner annular portion interfaces against the plurality oftabs and the outer wall when the handle and the inner annular portionrotate around the central axis.

In another embodiment, a fish tape reel comprises a housing comprising afirst side portion, a second side portion and a central axis, an outerwall, an inner wall radially surrounding the central axis, a pluralityof sets of tabs (e.g., at least 10) radially surrounding the inner wall,an inner annular portion located between the sets of tabs and the outerwall, a handle coupled to the inner annular portion, an elongatestructure (e.g., a fish tape) coupled to the housing and wound aroundthe inner wall, and a tip coupled to an end of the elongate structure.The inner wall, the housing, and the sets of tabs define an internalcavity. Each set of tabs comprises a first tab that extends from thefirst side portion and a second tab that extends from the second sideportion. Each of the tabs in the first and second sets of tabs extendtowards each other. The handle and inner annular portion are configuredto collectively rotate around the central axis of the housing. The innerannular portion interfaces against the sets of tabs and the outer wallwhen the handle and the inner annular portion rotate around the centralaxis.

The tip comprises a longitudinal axis, a cylindrical portion centeredaround the longitudinal axis, a second end opposite the first end, andfirst and second legs that couple the first end to the second end. Thecylindrical portion comprises a first end coupled to the elongatestructure and the second end comprises a rounded tip. A through-hole isdefined by the first and second ends and the first and second legs. Thethrough-hole comprises a first semi-circular rounded edge defined by thefirst end, a second semi-circular rounded edge defined by the secondend, a third rounded edge defined by the first leg, and a fourth roundededge defined by the second leg. The through-hole extends perpendicularlyto the tip longitudinal axis.

In another embodiment a fish tape reel comprises a housing comprising acentral axis, an outer wall, an inner wall radially surrounding thecentral axis, a plurality of tabs radially surrounding the inner wall,an inner annular portion located between the plurality of tabs and theouter wall, a handle comprising a channel and coupled to the innerannular portion, an elongate structure wound around the inner wall andextending through the handle channel, and a tip coupled to an end of theelongate structure. The inner wall and the plurality of tabs define aninternal cavity. The handle and inner annular portion are configured tocollectively rotate around the central axis of the housing. The innerannular portion interfaces against the plurality of tabs and the outerwall when the handle and the inner annular portion rotate around thecentral axis. The tip comprises a longitudinal axis and a cylindricalportion centered around the tip longitudinal axis. The cylindricalportion comprises a first end coupled to the elongate structure, asecond end opposite the first end, the second end comprising a roundedtip, and first and second legs that couple the first end to the secondend. A through-hole is defined by the first and second ends and thefirst and second legs.

The present disclosure provides, in one aspect, a fish tape reelcomprising a housing including a first side shell coupled to a secondside shell. An internal cavity is defined between the first and secondside shells. The housing defines a circumferential slot between thefirst and second side shells at an outer edge of the housing. Thehousing defines a plurality of flat gripping portions and a plurality offinger notches therebetween on an inner edge of the housing. The housingincludes a plurality of tabs in the internal cavity, each tab defining aslot between the tab and the outer edge of the housing. A handle isrotatably coupled to the housing between the first side shell and thesecond side shell. The handle includes a grip portion and an innerannular portion, the inner annular portion arranged in the plurality ofslots between the plurality of tabs and the outer edge of the housing.The grip portion is arranged outside the housing and has a pistol grip,a top grip, and a tape exit grip. The tape exit grip defines an openingaligned with the slot of the housing, the opening extending throughinner annular portion and the tape exit portion.

The present disclosure provides, in another aspect, a fish tape reelcomprising a housing including a first side shell coupled to a secondside shell. An internal cavity is defined between the first and secondside shells. The housing defines a circumferential slot between thefirst and second side shells at an outer edge of the housing. Thehousing defines a plurality of flat gripping portions and a plurality offinger notches therebetween on an inner edge of the housing. A handle isrotatably coupled to the housing between the first side shell and thesecond side shell. The handle includes a grip portion and an innerannular portion, the inner annular portion arranged in internal cavity.The grip portion is arranged outside the housing and has a pistol grip,a top grip, and a tape exit grip. The tape exit grip defines an openingaligned with the slot of the housing, the opening extending throughinner annular portion and the tape exit portion.

The present disclosure provides, in yet another aspect, a housingincluding a first side shell coupled to a second side shell. An internalcavity is defined between the first and second side shells. The housingdefines a circumferential slot between the first and second side shellsat an outer edge of the housing. The housing includes a plurality oftabs in the internal cavity, each tab defining a slot between the taband the outer edge of the housing. A handle is rotatably coupled to thehousing between the first side shell and the second side shell. Thehandle includes a grip portion and an inner annular portion. The innerannular portion is arranged in the plurality of slots between theplurality of tabs and the outer edge of the housing. The handle portionis arranged outside the housing. The handle defines an opening alignedwith the slot of the housing, the opening extending through innerannular portion and the handle portion.

The present disclosure provides, in yet another aspect, a fish tape tipconfigured to be arranged at an end of a length of fish tape. The fishtape tip comprises a body defining a longitudinal axis, the body havinga first end configured to be coupled to the end of the length of fishtape and an opposite second end. The first end is coupled to the secondend by first and second legs, wherein a through-hole extendingtransverse to the longitudinal axis is defined between the two legs. Afirst semi-circular portion is defined by the first end and extendsbetween the first and second legs and a second semi-circular portion isdefined by the second end and extends between the first and second legs.Rounded edges are defined along at least a portion of the firstsemi-circular portion, the first leg, the second semi-circular portion,and the second leg.

The present disclosure provides, in yet another aspect, a fish tape tipconfigured to be arranged at an end of a length of fish tape. The fishtape tip comprises a body defining a longitudinal axis, the body havinga first end configured to be coupled to the end of the length of fishtape and an opposite second end defining a half-sphere with a diameter.The first end is coupled to the second end by first and second legs,each leg having a height that is less than the diameter. A through-holeextending transverse to the longitudinal axis is defined between the twolegs. A first semi-circular portion is defined by the first end, extendsbetween the first and second legs, and tapers from the diameter to theheight of the legs. A second semi-circular portion is defined by thesecond end, extends between the first and second legs, and tapers fromthe diameter to the height of the legs. Rounded edges are defined alongat least a portion of the first semi-circular portion, the first leg,the second semi-circular portion, and the second leg.

The present disclosure provides, in yet another aspect, an end for alength of metal fish tape. The end comprises a first end, an oppositesecond end, and a body in between the first and second ends. The secondend is secured to the body portion at a secured point to define a loopforming a through-hole.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detaileddescription which follows, and, in part, will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art from the description or recognized bypracticing the embodiments as described in the written descriptionincluded, as well as the appended drawings. It is to be understood thatboth the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understandingand are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. Thedrawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with thedescription, serve to explain principles and operation of the variousembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fish tape reel, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fish tape reel of FIG. 1 with a sideshell removed, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fish tape reel of FIG. 1 with a sideshell removed, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the fish tape reel of FIG. 1 ,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the fish tape reel of FIG. 1 ,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the fish tape reel of FIG. 1with a side shell removed, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tip for fish tape, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the tip of FIG. 7 , according to anembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a tip for fish tape, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side plan view of the tip of FIG. 9 , according to anembodiment.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the tip of FIG. 9 , according to anembodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a tip for fish tape, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tip for fish tape,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a side plan view of the tip of FIG. 13 , according to anembodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of a fish tape reel,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a portion of the fish tape reel of FIG.15 , according to an embodiment.

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and the arrangement of components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the followingdrawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a reel 10 for a length of an elongatestructure, shown as fish tape 8, comprises a housing 14 including afirst side shell 18 coupled to a second side shell 22 via fasteners 24.The housing 14 has an outer edge 26 that defines a circumferential slot30 between the first and second side shells 18, 22. The housing 14includes a plurality of flat gripping portions 32 and a plurality offinger notches 34 therebetween on an inner edge 38 of the housing 14.Fish tape 8 extends through opening 82, also referred to as a channel.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4 , the reel 10 includes a handle 42 with a gripportion 44 and an inner annular portion 46. The grip portion 44 includesa pistol grip 48, a top grip 50, a tape exit grip 54, and a bridge 58that connects the pistol grip 48 and tape exit grip 54. Inner annularportion 46 is coupled to the grip portion 44 via a neck 62 that isnominally smaller than a width of the circumferential slot 30. The neck62 extends along the length of the bridge 58 between the inner annularportion 46 and the bridge 58. As can be seen in FIG. 4 , the bridge 58is slightly wider than the inner annular portion 46, and the innerannular portion 46 is wider than the neck 62.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4 , an internal cavity 66 is defined between thefirst and second side shells 18, 22. Each of the first and second sideshells 18, 22 includes a plurality of tabs 70 in the internal cavity 66extending alongside the outer edge 26. A slot 74 is defined between eachtab 70 and the outer edge 26, also referred to as an outer wall. Duringassembly, the inner annular portion 46 is fit within the plurality ofslots 74 defined between the plurality of tabs 70 and the outer edge 26,the neck 62 is arranged in the circumferential slot 30, and the bridge58 is arranged on the outer edge 26. In the illustrated embodiment,there are ten total tabs 70, but in other embodiments there may be moreor fewer tabs 70. As shown in FIG. 4 , each tab 70 extends to nearlyabut an extension 78 of the inner annular portion 46, with the extension78 protruding from the inner annular portion 46 radially inwards towardscentral axis 86. As inner annular portion 46 rotates with respect tohousing 14, extension 78 selectively is disposed between tabs extendingfrom either of first and second side shells 18, 22. Each of the firstand second side shells 18, 22 defines an inner rim 80, also referred toas an inner wall, in the internal cavity 66. When the first and secondside shells 18, 22 are fastened together, the inner rims 80 cometogether to form an inner spool 84, also referred to as inner spool 84,upon which the length of fish tape 8 is wound within the internal cavity66, between the inner rims 80 and plurality of tabs 70. The plurality oftabs 70 radially surround inner spool 84.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , tabs 370 areconnected with annular rings 372 that supports the tabs 370 and preventsthe tabs 370 from deforming or bending. Each of first and second sideshells 18, 22 comprise annular rings 372. The tabs 370 contact the innerannular portion 46 of the handle 42 but the ring 372 does not contactthe inner annular portion 46. In other words, the inner annular portion46 is just supported by the tabs 370 (twelve tabs in illustratedembodiment) rather than the entire ring 372, thereby reducing frictionas the inner annular portion 46 moves within the housing 14.

In one or more embodiments tabs 370 comprise sets of tabs, a firstsubset of tabs 70 extending from the first side shell 18 and a secondsubset of tabs 70 extending from the second side shell 22. In at leastone embodiment, each tab in a respective set of tabs extends toward atab in the other set of tabs. In various embodiments the reel 10comprises ten tabs 370, at least ten tabs 370, twelve tabs 370, and atleast twelve tabs 370. In one embodiment tabs 70 from each of first andsecond side shells 18, 22 protrude towards respective tabs on the otherof first and second side shells 18, 22, although it is contemplatedherein that tabs 70 on first and second side shells 18, 22 may bestaggered with respect to each other.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , the tape exit grip 54 defines an opening 82aligned with the circumferential slot 30. As shown in FIG. 6 , theopening 82 extends through the tape exit grip 54, the neck 62, the innerannular portion 46, and the extension 78. The opening 82 is configuredto permit the length of fish tape to be either fed from the internalcavity 66 or retracted into the internal cavity 66 via the opening 82and the circumferential slot 30.

In operation, an operator may pick up the reel 10 by grasping the pistolgrip 48, the top grip 50, or the tape exit grip 54 of the grip portion44 of the handle 42 with a first hand. The operator may then grasp thehousing 14 by grabbing one of the flat gripping portions 32 with asecond hand and placing one or more fingers of the second hand in thefinger notches 34 on the inner edge 38 of the housing 14. The flatgripping portions are easy to hold compared to a housing with a purelyannular inner edge. If the operator is feeding fish tape from the reel,the operator may rotate the housing 14 counterclockwise as viewed inFIG. 2 while firmly holding the handle 42. Because the operator isholding the handle 42 with the first hand, the housing 14 rotatesrelative to the handle 42 about a central axis 86. The finger notches 34make it easy for the operator to grasp the housing 14 and easier torotate the housing 14 with one finger of the second hand while holdingthe grip portion 44 with the first hand.

As the housing 14 rotates relative to the handle 42, the inner annularportion 46 of the handle slides along the slots 74 defined between theplurality of tabs 70 and the outer edge 26 and the neck 62 slides withinthe circumferential slot 30. Because the housing 14 utilizes a pluralityof individual tabs 70, 370, which define a plurality of distinct pointsof interfacing contact with the inner annular portion 46 instead of acontinuous 360 degree ring to support the inner annular portion 46, thereduction in contact surface area between the inner annular portion 46and the housing 14 reduces friction and the effort it takes to rotatethe housing 14 while holding the handle 42.

If the operator desires to feed fish tape out from the reel 10, theoperator rotates the housing 14 counterclockwise relative to the handle42 as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The length of fish tape rotates with thehousing 14 because it is coiled around the inner spool 84 formed by theinner rims 80. However, because an end of the fish tape is arrangedoutside the housing 14 through opening 82, as the housing 14 rotatescounterclockwise, the remainder of the length of fish tape is forced outthrough the circumferential slot 30 and the opening 82. If the operatordesires to retract fish tape back into the reel 10, the operator rotatesthe housing 14 clockwise relative to the handle 42 as viewed in FIGS. 1and 2 , which causes the fish tape to be retracted in through theopening 82 and circumferential slot 30. The extension 78 of the innerannular portion 46 prevents the fish tape from becoming caught orrubbing between opposite tabs 70, 370 of the first and second sideshells 18, 22. Thus, as the fish tape exits or enters the opening 82,friction is reduced and the fish tape exist and enters the housing 14more smoothly.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , a tip 90 for a length of fish tape has abody 94 defining a longitudinal axis 98. The body 94 has a first end 102configured to be coupled to an end of a length of fish tape and anopposite second end 106. The first end 102 has a cylindrical portion 108and the second end 106 has a rounded tip 110. The first end 102 isconnected to the second end 106 by first and second legs 112, 114 whichextend parallel to the longitudinal axis 98. A through hole 118 isdefined between the first and second legs 112, 114 and the first andsecond ends 102, 106 and extends in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal axis 98. The through hole 118 is configured to permit asection of wire to pass through and be secured to the tip 90.

A first semi-circular portion 122 is defined by the first end 102 andextends between the first and second legs 112, 114, and a secondsemi-circular portion 126 is defined by the second end 106 and extendsbetween the first and second legs 112, 114. There are two firstsemi-circular portions 122 and two second semi-circular portions 126,with one respectively on each side of the tip 90. Each of the first andsecond legs 112, 114 and first and second semi-circular portions 122,126 respectively define rounded edges 130, 134, 138, 142.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rounded edges 130, 134, 138, 142respectively extend continuously along the entire lengths of the firstand second legs 112, 114 and first and second semi-circular portions122, 126, thus forming one long rounded edge. However, in otherembodiments, the rounded edges 130, 134, 138, 142 may only extend alonga portion of the lengths. In operation, the rounded edges 130, 134, 138,142 provide smooth transition points that allow the tip 90 to glide andslide while being fed through long, complex conduit runs.

As shown in FIGS. 9-11 , another tip 146 for a length of fish tape has abody 150 defining a longitudinal axis 154. The body 150 has a first end158 configured to be coupled to an end 160 of a length of the fish tapeand an opposite second end 162. The first end 158 is connected to thesecond end 162 by first and second legs 166, 170 which extend parallelto the longitudinal axis 154. A through hole 172 is defined between thefirst and second legs 166, 170 and the first and second ends 158, 162and extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis 154. Thethrough hole 172 is configured to permit a section of wire to passthrough and be secured to the tip 146.

The first end 158 has a hexagonal portion 174 and the second end 162defines a half-sphere 178 having a diameter 182. The first and secondlegs 166, 170 each have a height 186 that is less than the diameter ofthe half-sphere 178. A first semi-circular portion 190 is defined by thefirst end 158. The first semi-circular portion 190 extends between thefirst and second legs 166, 170 and tapers from the diameter 182 to theheight 186 of the legs. A second semi-circular portion 194 is defined bythe second end 162. The second semi-circular portion 194 extends betweenthe first and second legs 166, 170, and tapers from the diameter 182 tothe height 186 of the legs. As shown in FIG. 10 , there are two firstsemi-circular portions 190 and two second semi-circular portions 194,with one respectively on each side of the tip 146.

As shown in FIGS. 9-11 , each of the first and second legs 166, 170 andfirst and second semi-circular portions 190, 194 respectively definerounded edges 198, 202, 206, 210. In the illustrated embodiment, therounded edges 198, 202, 206, 210 respectively extend continuously alongthe entire lengths of the first and second legs 166, 170 and first andsecond semi-circular portions 190, 194, thus forming one long roundededge. However, in other embodiments, the rounded edges 198, 202, 206,210 may only extend along a portion of the lengths. In operation, thehalf-sphere 178 and the rounded edges 198, 202, 206, 210 provide smoothtransition points that allow the tip 146 to glide and slide while beingfed through long, complex conduit runs.

As shown in FIG. 12 , a looped end 214 of a metal fish tape includes afirst end 218 which is an extension of the length of fish tape, anopposite side end 222, and a body 226 between the first and second ends218, 222. The second end 222 is looped around and secured to the body226 at a secured point 230 to define a loop 234 forming a through-hole238. The loop 234 has a first straight portion 242, a second straightportion 246 and a curved portion 250 between the two straight portions.The through-hole 238 is configured to permit a section of wire to passthrough and be secured to the looped end 214.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second end 222 is secured to the body226 at the secured point 230 with spot welding. However, in otherembodiments, the second end 222 may be secured to the body 226 atsecured point 230 with a fastener, such as a screw or rivet. Because thesecond end 222 is secured to the body 226 at secured point 230, thesecond end 222 does not come lose from the body 226, thereby preventingthe loop 234 from becoming un-bent during use. As shown in FIGS. 13 and14 , in a second embodiment of looped end 214, the loop 234 includes athird straight portion 254 linked to the second straight portion 246,defining an obtuse angle α therebetween. Further, in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , the first and second straight portions 242,246 are parallel to each other.

Although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference tocertain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist withinthe scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of thedisclosure as described.

We claim:
 1. A fish tape reel comprising: a housing comprising a centralaxis; an outer wall; a plurality of tabs, wherein the housing and theplurality of tabs define an internal cavity; an inner annular portionlocated between the plurality of tabs and the outer wall; a handlecoupled to the inner annular portion, the handle and inner annularportion configured to collectively rotate around the central axis of thehousing, the inner annular portion interfacing against the plurality oftabs and the outer wall when the handle and the inner annular portionrotate around the central axis; a fish tape wound within the internalcavity; and a fish tape tip coupled to an end of the fish tape.
 2. Thefish tape reel of claim 1, the housing comprising a first side shell anda second side shell, wherein the first side shell comprises a firstsubset of the plurality of tabs, and the second side shell comprises asecond subset of the plurality of tabs.
 3. The fish tape reel of claim2, wherein each of the tabs within the first subset of the plurality oftabs extends towards one of the second subset of the plurality of tabs.4. The fish tape reel of claim 2, wherein each of the tabs within thefirst subset of the plurality of tabs extends towards the second sideshell, and each of the tabs within the second subset of the plurality oftabs extends towards the first side shell.
 5. The fish tape reel ofclaim 2, wherein the inner annular portion comprises an extension thatprotrudes radially inwards towards the central axis, the extension beingselectively disposed between a first tab of the first subset of theplurality of tabs and a second tab of the second subset of the pluralityof tabs.
 6. The fish tape reel of claim 5, comprising an annular wallextending from the extension towards the second side shell, the annularwall interfacing with the second subset of the plurality of tabs whenthe handle and the inner annular portion rotate around the central axis.7. The fish tape reel of claim 1, the housing comprising an inner rimsurrounding the central axis, the fish tape a fish tape wound around theinner rim.
 8. The fish tape reel of claim 1, wherein the handlecomprises a channel through which the fish tape extends.
 9. The fishtape reel of claim 1, the housing comprising an annular ring, theplurality of tabs protruding from the annular ring.
 10. The fish tapereel of claim 1, the fish tape tip comprising: a tip longitudinal axis;a cylindrical portion centered around the tip longitudinal axis, thecylindrical portion comprising a first end coupled to the fish tape; anda second end opposite the first end, the second end defining at leasthalf of a sphere.
 11. The fish tape reel of claim 10, the fish tape tipcomprising first and second legs that couple the first end to the secondend, and a through-hole defined by the first and second ends and thefirst and second legs, the through-hole comprising: a firstsemi-circular portion defined by the first end; a second semi-circularportion defined by the second end; a first rounded edge defined by thefirst semi-circular portion; a third rounded edge defined by the firstleg; and a fourth rounded edge defined by the second leg.
 12. A fishtape reel comprising: a housing comprising a first side portion, asecond side portion and a central axis; an outer wall; an inner wallradially surrounding the central axis; an inner edge of the housing, theinner edge comprising a plurality of flat gripping portions and aplurality of recessed finger notches between the plurality of flatgripping portions; a plurality of sets of tabs radially surrounding theinner wall, wherein the inner wall, the housing, and the plurality ofsets of tabs define an internal cavity, each set of tabs comprising afirst tab that extends from the first side portion and a second tab thatextends from the second side portion, each of the first tab and thesecond tab extending towards each other; an inner annular portionlocated between the sets of tabs and the outer wall; a handle coupled tothe inner annular portion, the handle and inner annular portionconfigured to collectively rotate around the central axis of thehousing, the inner annular portion interfacing against the sets of tabsand the outer wall when the handle and the inner annular portion rotatearound the central axis; an elongate structure coupled to the housingand wound around the inner wall; and a tip coupled to an end of theelongate structure.
 13. The fish tape reel of claim 12, wherein therecessed finger notches define a concave surface with respect to thecentral axis.
 14. The fish tape reel of claim 12, wherein the innerannular portion comprises an extension that protrudes radially inwardstowards the central axis, the extension being selectively disposedbetween the first tab and the second tab of the plurality of sets oftabs.
 15. The fish tape reel of claim 12, the tip comprising: a tiplongitudinal axis; a cylindrical portion centered around the tiplongitudinal axis, the cylindrical portion comprising a first endcoupled to the elongate structure; a second end opposite the first end,the second end defining at least half of a sphere.
 16. A fish tape reelcomprising: a housing comprising a central axis; an outer wall; an innerwall radially surrounding the central axis, wherein the inner wall andthe outer wall define an internal cavity; an inner annular portionlocated between the inner wall and the outer wall; a handle comprising achannel and coupled to the inner annular portion, the handle and innerannular portion configured to collectively rotate around the centralaxis of the housing; an elongate structure wound around the inner walland extending through the channel; and a tip coupled to an end of theelongate structure, the tip comprising: a tip longitudinal axis; aportion extending along the tip longitudinal axis, the portioncomprising a first end coupled to the elongate structure; a second endopposite the first end, the second end defining at least half of asphere; and first and second legs that couple the first end to thesecond end, a through-hole defined by the first and second ends and thefirst and second legs.
 17. The fish tape reel of claim 16, the housingcomprising a first side shell and a second side shell, the fish tapereel comprising a plurality of tabs radially surrounding the inner wall,wherein the first side shell comprises a first subset of the pluralityof tabs, and the second side shell comprises a second subset of theplurality of tabs, wherein each of the tabs within the first subset ofthe plurality of tabs extends towards the second side shell, and each ofthe tabs within the second subset of the plurality of tabs extendstowards the first side shell.
 18. The fish tape reel of claim 17,wherein the inner annular portion comprises an extension that protrudesradially inwards towards the central axis, the extension beingselectively disposed between a first tab of the first subset of theplurality of tabs and a second tab of the second subset of the pluralityof tabs.
 19. The fish tape reel of claim 16, wherein the handlecomprises a channel through which the elongate structure extends. 20.The fish tape reel of claim 16, the through-hole comprising: a firstsemi-circular rounded edge defined by the first end; a secondsemi-circular rounded edge defined by the second end; a third roundededge defined by the first leg; and a fourth rounded edge defined by thesecond leg.